Debit cards have overtaken cash as the preferred method of payment in shops, including online shopping, for the first time.
Retail spending using debit cards rose by 9% last year, reaching £89bn, and now accounts for 37% of all retail transactions. Cash spending fell by 4% to £81bn.
Credit cards remain unchanged at £61bn, according to the Association of Payment Clearing Services. Spending by cheque is now only £9bn.